(Some of my "righteous friends" who met for the National Day of Prayer)
My husband and I use a daily devotional booklet called "Days of Praise" which is published by the Institute for Creation Research. As I read last Thursday's devotion I thought about all my Christian friends around the world and what all of you mean to me! So, today I wanted to share this devotion from "Days of Praise" with you.
May it bless you as much as it did me!
Righteous Friends
by Henry Morris III, D.Min.
"Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." (James 4:4)
The phrase "a man is known by the company he keeps" has been used in English-speaking countries since the 1500s.
Not only is the saying biblically based, but it is easily observable in everyday life.
Friends Shape Friends: "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend" (Proverbs 27:17). In our text above, James notes that the world's friendship so contrasts with the heart and mind of God that such a friendship turns our relationship with God into enmity. The apostle John gives the clear reason: "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world" (1 John 2:16).
Friends Love Each Other: "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you…. I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you…. These things I command you, that ye love one another" (John 15:14-17). This is pretty simple. If I love the Lord Jesus, and you love the Lord Jesus, then we will love each other—because we have a common friend!
Friends Stick Together: Because of our common love for the Lord Jesus, we do not forsake "the assembling of ourselves together" (Hebrews 10:25). Neither do we follow the "counsel of the ungodly," or hang around "in the way of sinners," or feel at home with "the scornful" (Psalm 1:1), because there is no fellowship in "righteousness with unrighteousness" (2 Corinthians 6:14).
Godly people will have godly friends.
May God bless you my FRIENDS!
Marilyn
9 comments:
And may God bless you, Marilyn. I am honored to call you 'friend'.
Leah
Marilyn, I loved this. Godly friends are so important. And, encouraging our kids to make these friends is something that we pray about.
Have a great day, my friend! Love the roses on your blog!
Hugs!
Susan
What a blessing to have brothers and sisters in the Lord who are also our dearest friends. So thankful for the godly intimacy God provides for us! A slice of heaven!
So glad to be one of yours! Love you, friend.
peace~elaine
Marilyn, Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and leaving your words of encouragment:) I love to meet new friends.
And...I absolutely love the pictures you shared of Springtime on the Farm - Beautiful.
It is wonderful to have godly friends who encourage! May God bless you as well Marilyn.
Marilyn,
I absolutely LOVE the new picture at the lake!
Great word Marilyn!
Thanks so much for sharing.
Thanks also for your kind and encouraging comments. I appreciate each one.
Hope you have a BLESSED day today♥
i think I'll just come sit in on your Sunday School class instead!! I have yet to take that Beth M. study! But, I will! Enjoy your day, sweet friend!
Hugs!
susan
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